As the COVID-19 lockdown continues, consumers are forced to navigate an evolving reality and the range of emotions that it creates. Brands need to remain agile in their response to these new and constantly shifting needs, as well as the emotional bandwidth of consumers. When it comes to advertising, 82% of consumers expect brands to acknowledge the COVID-19 lockdown, with millennials voicing this most strongly, according to our latest omnibus survey conducted with a representative sample of 1000 South Africans. Of course, should all brands respond to this call in a similar way, a trend highlighted by YouTube creator Sean Haney (April, 2020), there is a risk that your advertising will get lost in the noise, or worse, confused with government communications.

Thankfully, all is not lost and brands can cut through. According to the consumers we spoke to, adverts have stood out because they:

#1 Promote a product or service that is useful in the current context

In particular, consumers cited health and personal care brands doing this well, most notably Lifebuoy soap for its succinct claim of being 99.9% effective again the coronavirus.

#2 Play an active role in the pandemic

i.e. brands who have supported frontline workers, engaged with communities and focused on raising awareness. A good example is Old Mutual’s #OMHereForYou campaign, which conveys the gratitude of the brand’s employees towards frontline workers.

#3 Evoke an emotional reaction

In general, consumers want brand advertising to be sincere, but avoid evoking fear or scepticism. An inspiring or hopeful message will resonate much more. Within healthcare, banking and insurance (those industries that offer pandemic-specific products and services), advertising must be more serious to allay the health and financial concerns and anxieties of consumers. For insurance brands specifically, this sentiment has changed over the course of the pandemic, with consumers initially wanting to hear what relief efforts brands are providing, and later shifting to a need to know that those brands are doing the right thing and delivering on their pay-out promises. There is a clear need here for brands to remain agile and respond to changing consumer sentiment.

In personal care, homecare, telecoms, food and drink, retail and hospitality, consumers want more excitement, fun and a reason to be cheerful. Chicken Licken’s #SoulfulNation advert is a great example of this, with our consumers applauding its relatability to South African culture (resilient, entrepreneurial), its acknowledgement of lockdown realities like social distancing, curfew and cigarette bans, and its humorous sincerity through stereotypes, memes and faux pas. The overall tone is feel-good, which is exactly what South Africans need from some brands right now.

To conclude

The trend across all of these successful ad campaigns identified by our survey respondents is their acknowledgement of the crisis, whether that’s in providing a relevant product or service, supporting those on the frontline, or by addressing the situation in relation to the brand message. Consumer research allows you to explore consumers’ evolving experiences, needs and expectations, and feed these into your brand advertising. It can ensure that your advert hits the right emotional tone, whilst staying true to your brand strategy and voice. Finally, it delivers a clear view of ROI if undertaken in the long-term. It’s a complicated landscape for brand advertisers in South Africa to navigate right now, which is why understanding consumer needs and testing ads is key.

Get in touch to find out more about our approach to advertising research using our Brand Religions.

During our upcoming virtual event (Tue Sep 22), we’ll explain how you can use this framework to grow your brand, and inspire you with real examples of brand strategy in action. If you’re seeking brand success, join Niels Schillewaert on Sep 22 (APAC session or EMEA/US session) or request your download of our Brand Religions bookzine!